HONDA INSIGHT 2004 1.G Owners Manual

The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Usethefresh-air
ventilation when possible.
If air conditioning is needed, you
can save some f uel by using the
A/C in ‘‘ECON’’ mode. When the
outside temperature is above 41°F
(5°C), this mode allows the Auto
Idle Stop f unction to shut of f the
engine when the vehicle is stopped,
resulting in f uel savings.
You may notice that using the A/C
causes a greater drop in f uel
economy. Although the extra f uel
used by the A/C load on the
engine is no greater than other
vehicles, it is more noticeable
because of your Insight’s excellent
f uel mileage.
Fuel Economy
Bef ore Driving98

Your dealer has Honda accessories
that allow you to personalize your
vehicle. These accessories have
been designed and approved f or your
vehicle, and are covered by warranty.When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interf ere with your vehicle’s
computer controlled systems, such
as the SRS and anti-lock brake
system.Bef ore installing any accessory:
Modif ying your vehicle, or installing
some non-Honda accessories, can
make your vehicle unsaf e. Bef ore
you make any modif ications or add
anyaccessories,besuretoreadthe
f ollowing inf ormation.
Although aftermarket accessories
may f it on your vehicle, they may not
meet f actory specif ications, and
could adversely af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and stability. (See
‘‘Modif ications’’ on page f or
additional information.) Have the installer contact your
Honda dealer f or assistance bef ore
installing any electronic accessory. Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page ) or interf ere with
proper operation. Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interf ere
with proper vehicle operation or
perf ormance.
100 183
A ccessories
Bef ore Driving
A ccessories and Modif ications
99
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
vehicle’s handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding
accessories and modifications.

Some examples are:Raising your vehicle with an
af termarket suspension kit can
af f ect the handling and stability.
Af termarket wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components. Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interf ere with the operation of
your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
Removing parts f rom your vehicle,
or replacing components with non-
Honda (af termarket) components
could seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, and reliability.
Lowering your vehicle with an
aftermarket suspension kit that
signif icantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy. If you plan to modif y your vehicle,
consult your Honda dealer. Do not modif y your steering wheel
or any other part of your
Supplemental Restraint System.
Modif ications could make the
system inef f ective. See the Saf ety
Precautions on page .
22
Bef ore Driving
Modif ying Your Vehicle
A ccessories and Modif ications
100

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Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas:Glove box
Seat-back pocket
Storage box
Cargo area
Rear center pocket
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can af f ect
your vehicle’s handling, stability,
stopping distance, and tires, and
make it unsaf e. Bef ore carrying any
type of cargo, be sure to read the
f ollowing pages. Do not store large objects in the
rear center pocket. The objects in
the pocket will be broken when
you adjust the seats backwards.
CONT INUED
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving101
STORAGE BOX
CARGO AREA REAR CENTER
POCKET
SEAT-BACK POCKET GLOVE BOX

·µ
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passenger f rom 400
lbs (185 kg).
The resulting f igure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity.
For example, if there will be two 150
lbs (70 kg) occupants in your vehicle,
the amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 100 lbs (45
kg).
2 150 lbs (70 kg) = 300 lbs (140
kg)
400 lbs (185 kg) 300 lbs (140 kg) =
100 lbs (45 kg) Determine the combined weight
of accessories, luggage, and cargo
beingloadedinthevehicle.The
weight may not saf ely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in step 4 [100
lbs(45kg)inthisexample]. The total weight must not exceed
theGrossVehicleWeightRating
(GVWR). The load f or the f ront and
rear axles also must not exceed the
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
(see page ).
The maximum load limit f or your
vehicle is 400 lbs (185 kg). This
f igure includes the total weight of all
occupants, cargo, and accessories.
To determine the correct cargo and
luggage load limit:
Locate the statement, ‘‘the
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed 400 lbs
(185 kg)’’ on your vehicle’s placard
(on the driver’s doorjamb).
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passenger that
will be riding in your vehicle. (Two
is the seating capacity of your
vehicle.)
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
192
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving102
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.

Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the seats cannot roll under
the seats and interfere with the
pedals or seat operation.Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the cargo area, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as f ar f orward as possible.
Tie down items that could be
thrown about the vehicle during a
crash or sudden stop.
Do not stack objects higher than
the tops of the seat-backs. They
could block your view and be
thrown about the vehicle during a
crash or sudden stop.If you carry large items that
prevent you f rom closing the
hatch, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of
, f ollow the instructions
on page .
The f loor of the storage box is
made of a sof t plastic material. It is
not strong enough to stand heavy
goods on it.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop. 36
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
Carrying Cargo in the Cargo A rea
carbon monoxide
poisoning
103

To secure the cargo, you can use the
f our cargo hooks on the cargo area.
The illustration shows the location of
each cargo hook.The cargo net can be used to help
hold down light items in the cargo
area. The cargo net may not prevent
heavy items f rom being thrown
f orward in a crash or a sudden stop.
Cargo secured with this net should
not exceed 22 lbs (10 kg). Heavy
items should be secured to the cargo
area floor with tie-downs or cinch
straps attached to the cargo hooks.
The air intake f or the IMA battery is
located behind the passenger’s seat.
Do not block this air intake with any
cargo.
Do not spill any liquids over the air
intake and also do not put any small
f oreign objects in it. This may
damage the IMA battery and the
power control unit.
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
Cargo HooksCargo Net A ir Intake
104
AIR INTAKE
Cargo Hooks and Cargo Net

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
manual and automatic transmissions.
It also includes important
information on parking your vehicle,
and the braking system.........................
Preparing to Drive .106
.......................
Starting the Engine .107
....
5-speed Manual Transmission . 108
............................
Auto Idle Stop .109
..............
Automatic Transmission . 111
Continuously Variable ............
Transmission (CVT) . 111
............................
Auto Idle Stop .116
..................................
Parking Tips .118
.............................
Braking System .119
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 120
...........................
Towing a Trailer .121
Driving
Driving105

Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood is f ully closed. Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Make sure the doors and the
hatch are securely closed and
locked.
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page ). Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passenger has f astened his or
her seat belt (see page ).
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.
1.
2.
3.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
66
64
1341
Preparing to Drive
Driving106

Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
Push the clutch pedal down all the
way. START (III) does not
f unction unless the clutch pedal is
pressed.
Make sure the shif t lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. Do not hold
the key in START for more than
15 seconds at a time. If the engine
does not start right away, pause
f or at least 10 seconds bef ore
trying again.If the engine does not start within
15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 4 with the
accelerator pedal pressed halfway
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal
so the engine does not race.
If the engine fails to start, press
the accelerator pedal all the way
downandholdittherewhile
starting to clear flooding. If the
engine still does not start, return
to step 5.
1.
2.
3.
4. 5.
6.
Manual Transmission:
Automatic Transmission (CVT):
Starting the Engine
Driving107
NOTICE: The engine is harder to start
in cold weather. Also, the thinner air
f ound at altitudes above 8,000 f eet
(2,400 meters) adds to this problem.